| Dr. Susan Kolb is a plastic surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. Here the Doctor has answered some of the common questions bizymoms visitors have about Breast Augmentation.
Q. What is Breast Augmentation?
A. Breast Augmentation also known as augmentation mammaplasty, involves using implants to create fuller breasts or to restore breast volume lost after weight reduction or pregnancy. Breast augmentation can:
· Increase fullness and projection of your breasts
· Improve the balance of your figure
· Enhance your self-image and self confidence
· Improve breast asymmetry
Q. How should one prepare for breast augmentation surgery?
A. Find a surgeon that has experience and is knowledgable about the complications of the procedure and how to avoid them. Read The Naked Truth About Breast Implants to understand the potential problems including the need for replacement about every 10 years.
Q. How is a breast augmentation surgery performed?
A. Breast implants are placed through incisions in several possible locations usually under the chest wall muscles under general anesthesia.
Q. Who is a good candidate for breast augmentation?
A. Patients with deficient breast tissue or patients with loss of volume of breast tissue after nursing.
Q. What are the risks associated with breast augmentation?
A. Capsular contracture or scar tissue tightening around the implant, bleeding, seroma, malposition, infection, mold contamination in or around the implant, leakage or rupture, migration of the silicone with possible skin lesions and enlarged lymph nodes, deflation, perforation of the chest cavity with possible pneumothorax, extrusion, reaction to silicone due to genetic factors, autoimmune disease, sick building syndrome, atypical connective tissue disease, atypical neurological disease, fibromyagia, multiple chemical sensivitity.
Q. What is the recovery time for breast augmentation?
A. 3 to 4 weeks until return to regular activity. About a week off work for most patients. Marcaine pain pumps and Actipatches allow return to work sooner due to better pain control.
Q. How much does breast augmentation cost?
A. $5000 to $7000 depending on OR and anesthesia time and type of implant (silicone breast implants are more costly than saline).
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